By Alex
To capture the sunrise, waking up early is a must; in winter, battling the cold is an added challenge. Photographer Koki Ueda (@fuehrsn) arrived at Kōbōchi Plateau, located east of Shiojiri City in Nagano Prefecture at an altitude of 1,665 meters, at 5:30 a.m. to photograph the sunrise over Mount Fuji.
Nagano’s Kōbōchi Plateau
— Koki Ueda (@fuehrsn) December 8, 2020
Japan’s No. 1 shutter spot to view Lake Suwa, nightscapes, and Mt. Fuji?
2020/12/6 pic.twitter.com/FztwI71qlk
▲ “Japan’s No. 1 photo spot to see Lake Suwa, night views, and Mt. Fuji.”
Kōbōchi Plateau sits atop a mountain with a gentle slope and offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view. You can see Lake Suwa, as well as the Northern Alps in northwestern Nagano Prefecture. On clear days, you can even glimpse the Southern Alps to the south and Mount Fuji. On the day Koki Ueda shot these photos, he was particularly lucky—a thin layer of mist added poetic charm to the scene. In fact, the city of Suwa, nestled in a valley basin below Kōbōchi Plateau, is often covered in sea of clouds, which envelop the entire area while leaving only the peaks of distant Mt. Fuji exposed.
▲ (Photo by fuehrsn @Twitter)
This photo spot on Kōbōchi Plateau has appeared in animated works, making it a popular destination among photographers. Photography enthusiasts often choose to come here in the early morning hours, describing the illuminated city of Suwa as shimmering like a jewel box. However, the position of the sun changes with the seasons—only in autumn and winter does it align closely with Mt. Fuji. Even when snow is possible, many people brave the cold and arrive before dawn to wait for the sunrise.
▲ The photographer arrives at the Kōbōchi Plateau photo spot at 5:30 a.m. (Photo by fuehrsn @Twitter)
It’s worth noting that Kōbōchi Plateau is closed and inaccessible during winter (generally from late December) due to heavy snowfall. If you plan to visit for photography, be sure to check road conditions.
Source: @fuehrsn, Grapee.jp